smite

Tackling the Sensor Yourself Challenge, we aim to upgrade the existent SPHERES satellites with an extension “tail” that allows for multiple mods and sensors to be installed. Thus, astronauts and mission control can remotely assess hazards and intervene. Such mods, like a tiny thermal camera or an air quality sensor can also be used in autonomous patrols, offering another layer of early detection.
Our software architecture revolves around ROS which is powered by Galileo boards and a Linux PC.

SMITE stands for SPHERES Intervention & Timely Evaluation. Tackling the Sensor Yourself Challenge, we aim to upgrade the existent SPHERES satellites with an extension “tail” that allows for multiple mods and sensors to be installed. Thus, the astronauts and mission control can remotely assess hazards and intervene.

The mods can be very different and range from hazardous gas sensors, to an extra CO2 canister for fire extinguishing and even a small robotic arm. (The uArm for instance)

This modularity is enhanced by an open source and open hardware approach. We chose the Robot Operating System (ROS) to be the middle-ware and it will run across a host of Galileo and arduino board and a distant workstation.

We've developed a use-case scenario on Gazebo where an astronauts remotely check the ISS and spots an abnormal heat signature. We've also provided diagrams for the proposed software architecture, including the different software bridges in use. We've also have preliminary plans for the electronics and did some CAD rendering on concept mods. (Our team is a well balanced mix of computer science, electronic and mechanical engineering.)

With the capabilities of ROS, and the sensors, it’s fairly feasible to have full autonomous patrols that can check for a multitude a hazards:

Sudden heating

Leaks

Harmful gases

Radiation

The needed hardware for such applications could be surprisingly affordable, and we do provide an excel sheet with some proposed sensors and the price it would cost.